Translation guide
The English word "liking" is a noun meaning a feeling of fondness or preference. In Japanese, this concept is most naturally expressed using the adjective 好き (suki), which functions like "liked" or "fond of" in English. The verb 好む (konomu) is more formal and less common in everyday speech. This guide covers how to express liking for people, things, activities, and abstract concepts, with attention to natural phrasing and common patterns.
Expressing that you like someone or something in a general sense.
The most common and natural way to express liking. It is a na-adjective meaning "liked" or "fond of." The thing liked is marked with が.
A verb meaning "to like" or "to prefer." More formal and often used in written language or to express a deliberate preference. In casual speech, 好き is preferred.
彼は甘いものを好む。
He likes sweet things.
Literally "to enter one's spirit," meaning to take a liking to something, often after experiencing it. Used when you find something pleasing or to your taste.
この本、気に入った。
I liked this book. (I took a liking to it.)
彼女はそのドレスを気に入ったようだ。
She seems to have taken a liking to that dress.
Expressing that you like someone, which can range from friendly affection to romantic interest.
Used for both platonic and romantic liking. Context and tone clarify the nuance. For romantic interest, it is often used in confessions.
私はあなたが好きです。
I like you. (can be romantic)
彼のことが好きなの？
Do you like him? (romantic implication)
Literally "to hold good will," a more formal and indirect way to say you have a liking or affection for someone, often used in descriptions rather than direct speech.
彼女は彼に好意を持っている。
She has a liking for him.
Expressing that you like doing a particular activity.
The standard pattern: verb in dictionary form + のが + 好き. の nominalizes the verb.
私は映画を見るのが好きです。
I like watching movies.
彼は走るのが好きだ。
He likes running.
More formal than using の. こと nominalizes the verb. Often used in written language or formal speech.
私は読書をすることが好きです。
I like reading books.
Expressing a preference or comparative liking.
Pattern for comparing: AよりBの方が好き means "I like B more than A."
犬より猫の方が好きです。
I like cats more than dogs.
Noun meaning "liking," "taste," or "preference." Used to talk about personal preferences.
それは好みの問題だ。
That's a matter of personal liking.
彼の好みに合う音楽。
Music that suits his liking.
Expressing the process of starting to like something or someone.
Literally "to become liking," meaning to come to like or fall for someone/something.
彼のことを好きになった。
I've come to like him. / I fell for him.
日本語を勉強しているうちに、日本文化が好きになった。
While studying Japanese, I developed a liking for Japanese culture.
As above, often used when you take a liking to something after trying or seeing it.
Referring to the feeling of liking as a concept or state.
Means "good will," "favor," or "liking." Often used in formal contexts or to describe someone's feelings objectively.
彼は彼女に好意を抱いている。
He harbors a liking for her.
Means "love" or "liking" in a strong, often hobby-related sense. Used in compounds like 愛好家 (enthusiast).
English often uses 'liking' as a noun (e.g., 'to one's liking'), but Japanese rarely uses a direct noun equivalent in casual speech. Instead, use 好き or 好み depending on context. For example, 'Is it to your liking?' is naturally お口に合いますか？ (Does it suit your palate?) or 気に入りましたか？ (Did you take a liking to it?).
好き is an adjective and the default for everyday liking. 好む is a verb and sounds more deliberate or formal. In most casual conversations, 好き is preferred. 好む is common in written language or when discussing tastes/preferences objectively.
初めて見たとき、すぐに気に入った。
When I first saw it, I immediately took a liking to it.
彼は音楽の愛好家だ。
He is a lover of music.